With effect from 1 October 2026, new Right to Work requirements will come into force which place a statutory duty on Operators to verify a driver’s immigration status before allowing them to work.
This is an additional requirement placed on Operators. Licensing Authorities will continue to carry out this check as part of the licence issuing process, but Operators will now be required to carry out their own verification before engaging a driver.
This requirement applies to all Private Hire Operators, regardless of size of operation. Please ensure that your recruitment process is revised, that staff understand what documents are acceptable as proof and the importance of record-keeping.
Amber Valley Borough Council has a responsibility for licensing hackney carriages and private hire vehicles, drivers, and operators within the district of Amber Valley.
The grant of all licences shall be considered in the context of the Amber Valley Borough Council Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy, relevant legislation, and guidance subject to the licensing conditions.
The aim of licensing of the Hackney Carriage ("Taxi") and Private Hire Vehicle ("PHV") trade is, primarily, to protect the public as well as to ensure that the public have reasonable access to taxi and PHV services because of the part they play in local transport provision.
Its purpose, therefore, is to ensure the system is operated by 'fit and proper' persons and to prevent licences being given to or used by those who are not suitable persons taking into account their driving record, their driving experience, their sobriety, mental and physical fitness, honesty, that they are people who would not take advantage of their employment, and to ensure that hackney carriages and private hire vehicles in the district are safe, and that the powers are exercised in compliance with the European Convention on Human Rights.
There is currently a facility in existence whereby drivers or proprietors can apply for a grant from the Government to assist in the purchase of 'greener' vehicles and 'Plug-in Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles'. Eligibility and application information can be accessed at www.gov.uk/government/publications/plug-in-wheelchair-accessible-vehicle-grants-eligibility-and-applications/plug-in-wheelchair-accessible-vehicle-grant-eligibility-and-applications.
The current Hackney Carriage Tariff Table can be found by using the link below.
Contact the team directly on 01773 570222 or email licensing@ambervalley.gov.uk
